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VW New Beetle (GL, GLS & GLX)
mzn
Member Posts: 727
in Volkswagen
Friends, I had to freeze our earlier discussion
because after 500 posts or so, things can get
unstable. So, let's continue our conversation here.
There is always something good to say about this
lovely car!
carlady/host
because after 500 posts or so, things can get
unstable. So, let's continue our conversation here.
There is always something good to say about this
lovely car!
carlady/host
0
Comments
Hello, everyone...I'm new to this site, and I'd
appreciate a bit of advice!
I just graduated from college and I'm looking at
getting either a 99 GLS 2.0 Beetle, a 99 GLS 2.0
Jetta, or a 99 Dodge Stratus. I have my heart set
on a Beetle, but I doubt I can afford it unless I
can get it under MSRP. I've been to one dealer
here in Grand Rapids, Michigan (there are two VW dealers in town), and they seemed very helpful and nice, but I haven't yet asked about price on the Beetles. I'm wondering - is there anyone here
within a few hours drive of Grand Rapids that knows of a dealer that would sell for less than MSRP? And should I wait till July or August since the 2000's are coming? And finally, would you expect that my chances for a deal on a Jetta would be better since the Beetles are the hot sellers right now?
Thanks in advance!
Steve
Have you tried Auto-by-tel? It can't hurt and it might help!
carlady/host
Thanks anyways!
Steve
Steve
One problem: how dumb is having a spoiler that deploys at 93mph? Even dumber is the placement of the hidden button for manual deployment. For such a well thought out car, this is just... dumb.
Last positive note: I just love getting in this car and driving. I loved the old ones, and that feeling has been successfully translated back into this wonderful (not so) little bug.
PS: MSRP and great dealer at NEMER VW in Albany NY
-- BeetleBabe --
What makes it truly hypocritical, is that most cars have tires that are only rated up to 88 mph, beyond which they are exponentially more likely to blow out.
Both speeds (tire rating and spoiler effectiveness) are over the legal speed limit as well.
In the end, spoilers are worth nothing more than appearance. If you have a "Turbonium," you may as well deploy it manually and leave it that way.
Thanks
carlady/host
I am concerned, however, that this car may turn out to be all style and no substance.
Is this an unwarranted fear? I'd love to hear from any NB owners out there and what, if any, problems they've had with their NBs. Save me from buying a Civic!!!
besides the often mentioned trunk rattle (for the 98's) we have had no problem with our NB through 8500 miles. VW really is a better car than a decade ago, I don't think the same issues about quality apply. If you are really concerned consider the extended warranty, you already have 2 year complete and 10 year powertrain.
by the way, whay is the facination with everyone wanting to pay less then msrp?? It is soo relative and in many ways msrp is arbitrary, it's all part of the game, I know. Just decide if you like the car at that money, compare it with other cars at 3% over invoice (for the other cars) and decide. Don't let the feeling that you HAVE to get less than msrp, because that is the norm, prevent you from buying what you want.
ahhh, but what do I know (i did get ours at msrp, here in austin texas)
The Honda has a good reliability record, but has zero personality. The #1 reason we are pusuing a NB is resisdual value. NO car matches the NB for resale value. Used '98 NBs are selling for more than the original MSRP.
I read a few conflicting reports, but it seems the New Beetle TDI is strictly manual. No automatic transmission available.
That's very disappointing to me, considering how much automatic helps resale value. Of course, we are also talking about a diesel, and that can hurt the resale value, as well. Unfortunately, there is a certain stigma attached to diesel cars, that they are noisy, polluting, gas-guzzlers. This is not the case with modern diesel engines (except the noisy part, perhaps), but many people remain ignorant.
I had been considering a TDI when gas prices skyrocketed here on the west coast, but changed my mind when I found out that automatic transmission was unavailable.
If anyone from VW reads this: BIG MISTAKE!! ;-)
because of its superior low end torque. They are in extrmely short supply, availble in CA but I am just wondering if anyone has one. I am in Seattle and drove a stick for 20+ years now just want to be a bit more lazy as I know in the congestion I would be shifting every 5 minutes and yes, gas is very high price.
Mine is a 99 non-turbo gas. 3700 miles with no problems, until this week-end. Airbag light came on. Also, punctured a tire(took about 15 minutes to change). I have Michelin tires and a Goodyear warranty(go figure). And someone backed out of a parking space and grazed my paint job (
From what I have read the TDI VW's actually have a higher residual value than the gas.
"Thank you for contacting the Volkswagen
Web site. We appreciate your interest in
the TDI engine and your comments have been
noted.
At this time, the TDI engine is not
available with an optional automatic
transmission.
We are tentatively planning to see this
option arrive within the 1999 model
year, although no production, or arrival
dates have been released."
Now that it is being released, I probably still won't get it. Why? It only has 90 hp. That's not enough when I have to drive over the mountains from Vegas to California. My Tercel struggles (actually seeing the speed drop, despite having the pedal to the floor), and it has just as many (or as few) horses. I'm looking at a GLX now. :-)
Kristen
Beetle within the next few days but need to know
if there is any haggling room at all on prices.
I have been quoted (by phone) a sticker price of
$19,400 and am wondering if this is too high and
if there is still little negotiating room on them. Buying "a little red Beetle" would fulfill a very delayed childhood dream.
I also have the alloys. From a distance, you cant see much difference. But get close...I can see why I chose the alloys. And, I can have them chromed when I get tired of the look.
Hope she enjoys her new car!
Apparently, the garbage truck had "connected" with the rear bumper of the Bug as it was pulling away. It didn't really hit, just pushed, but still!
Only damage: a small dent on the right side of the license plate holder (where the truck's fork had connected) and a long scrape across the back of the bumper.
We had it thoroughly inspected, and apparently there's not even any damage to the bumper or subframe. The front wheels are still in alignment, even.
And still no trunk rattle after 6000 mi.
Opinions?
We live in Denver, and the dealer we bought from is one of the largest in the Rocky Mtn. region, so they were getting plenty of stock.
Now my wife is talking about a green Turbonium Beetle when our lease is up (and she goes to bed at night hoping that VW will provide a cabriolet version).
The yellow and green ones had custom wheels and fake wood or carbon fiber interior trim that added $1500 to $3000 to the price. They do this, I suspect, in lieu of additional markup.
Still, we felt we got a good deal, and a great (fun, cute, etc.) car!
Thanks